Results 3,681-3,700 of 4,465 for speaker:Jim Walsh

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I agree with Senator Colm Burke in his criticism of the Government for the changes that will be to the detriment of women who will have children after 23 April when they will be deprived of maternity benefit, but I do not share his surprise. Given everything the Government has done, particularly if one goes back to it legalising last summer unnecessarily the aborting of babies, where it is...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I am flummoxed by the Government's audacity to bring forward Bills that it purports to be in the interests of children when it already has a particular track record. Its legacy will be horrendous for children. I support the call made by my colleague, Senator Darragh O'Brien, for a debate on and an appropriate commemoration of the millennium of the Battle of Clontarf. It would be a pity if...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I welcome the provisions contained in the Bill. As an island nation, our shipping and fishing industries have been negligible compared to those in other maritime countries of similar size. It strikes me that there is scope for the development of both. Our fishing rights went when we joined the European Union; we traded them for benefits in the agricultural field. Subsequently, we came to...

Seanad: Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: -----if he will outline the criteria and the costs involved and compare them with rates in other countries. We should encourage growth in the merchant fleet and I hope we can attract as many as possible to register under the Irish flag. As I stated earlier, our merchant fleet is very small compared with other countries, such as those of Holland, Germany and Denmark. They have considerably...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: The Senator should talk to the people whose medical cards have been taken from them and to those on the waiting list. He would then review his comments on the health service. I agree with Senator Mary Moran. It is a shame that people with disabilities and others are being deprived of necessary services, for which they cannot afford to pay. I mention the ludicrous position of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: Will the Minister for Social Protection attend the House for a debate on pensions? It is essential we have a strong, analytical and informed debate on the issue. Recent reports have shown that young people who have the opportunity to pay into pension schemes because their employers are making contributions are not doing so. As a consequence, they will find themselves disadvantaged in later...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: That is democracy.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: Just as we concluded the last day, Senator Norris asked me to offer an explanation of the relationship between sexual orientation and heroin addiction. As far as I am aware, there is no connection or relationship between them. I read what I had said and I never mentioned heroin. The point I made was that I am aware of a number of teachers who are single parents and who had their children...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Syria: Dr. Thomas Pierret (16 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: My apologies, as I had to go speak in the Seanad. I have picked up the threads of what was said from speaking to my colleagues. I am a little alarmed with the answers Dr. Pierret has given. It is a very complex and difficult situation but the Syrian army and regime looks as if it is winning the war. It might take some time for that to happen. I do not know whether the witnesses agree....

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I second the amendment to the Order of Business tabled by my colleague Senator Daly. It would be opportune to commemorate the founding of Cumann na mBan 100 years ago and I regret that the Government has not taken the initiative. These women dedicated themselves in a selfless way to achieving Irish independence. There is a great debate on the need for more women to be involved in politics....

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: Those who participate in the profession get obscene amounts for very little effort and work. It is unconscionable that it has not been tackled, given the IMF recommendations, one of which was to ensure competition in our legal profession. The fact that we still pay people €200,000 to €500,000 per year from public finances when hard-pressed taxpayers and those on social welfare...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: It is an unfair comment.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: It will be a first for the Labour Party.

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: I fundamentally disagree with the last point made by Senator Aideen Hayden.

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: The annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation is an illegitimate act. Despite the fact that Crimea may have a predominantly ethnic Russian population, it does not provide any justification for it. If we fail to respect the territorial integrity of nations, ultimately it will lead to chaos and much conflict in various areas around the globe. My colleague, Senator Paschal Mooney, put it...

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: We see today that the conflict in the Ukraine could grow into something far more serious. Yesterday we saw the special forces of the Ukraine take over Kramatorsk Airport, having to recover it from the separatists. We saw the Russian separatists commandeering five armoured vehicles and a tank. All of this, including the fact that people were killed in the conflict yesterday, could lead to a...

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: Hear, hear.

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: It remains occupied.

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: The Minister tried to silence them.

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Jim Walsh: It was unilateral.